Bellevue Bus Accident Attorneys

Were You Hurt in a Bus Accident?

Due to their size and weight, buses can cause serious injuries to passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists in a crash. With such severe injuries involved, the legal processes needed to pursue compensation afterward can be complicated and hotly contested, so hiring an injury lawyer is always recommended.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident in Bellevue, Carpenter & Zuckerman is here to guide and represent you in your fight for fair compensation. Our legal team has secured more than $2 billion through settlements and verdicts for our clients throughout the years. Trust a case as important as yours to a team with our experience and insight.

Talk to a Bellevue bus accident lawyer by calling (425) 585-4009 and requesting a free, no-obligation consultation with Carpenter & Zuckerman.

Filing an Injury Claim Against a Bus Company

When an accident involves a bus company, determining liability is the first step in the legal process, but it might not be the easiest. Unlike typical vehicle collisions, bus accident cases may involve multiple parties, including the bus driver, the company, or even a maintenance provider, who all did something negligent that contributed to the crash.

Filing a bus accident claim usually involves:

Identifying signs of negligence, such as driver inattention, fatigue, lack of training, or possibly bus maintenance failures.
Collecting compelling evidence, including accident reports, surveillance footage, and witness statements.
Preparing a claim and filing it with the right court before any statutes of limitations expire.

Bus companies often have access to extensive legal resources, making these claims more challenging to handle than many expect. Having an experienced legal professional on your side allows you to know that your case is being prepared, filed, and pursued correctly without worrying about the small details yourself.

Complications When Bringing a Case Against King County Metro

In Bellevue, the city buses are managed primarily by King County Metro. If a city bus is involved in an accident, filing against King County Metro can create a unique set of complications due to the involvement of a public transit authority.

Filing a claim against a government entity like King County Metro involves additional challenges, including:

Shortened Deadlines: Claims against public entities often have stricter filing deadlines than standard personal injury cases.
Proving Negligence: To succeed in a case, you must demonstrate that the transit authority was negligent, whether through inadequate safety measures, failure to properly train drivers, or poor vehicle maintenance. King County Metro will have greater resources to defend itself than the average defendant.

Why Hiring a Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help

Bus accident cases often involve significant legal, logistical, and technical challenges. A skilled Bellevue bus accident attorney from Carpenter & Zuckerman can help you with every part, so none of these challenges become too great.

Let us show our unwavering support by:

Investigating all potential causes of the accident, such as driver error, faulty equipment, or road conditions.
Identifying all responsible parties, including bus drivers, companies, and third-party contractors.
Navigating the specific legal requirements for filing claims against public entities like King County Metro.
Attempting to negotiate with insurance companies and pursuing litigation if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
Litigating on your behalf if a fair settlement cannot be reached.

Different Buses in Bellevue

Bellevue has a variety of bus transportation options that serve different purposes, including city commuting, school transportation, and private chartering. Carpenter & Zuckerman has the resources and experience to handle bus accident claims involving any of them.

We can work on bus accident cases involving:

City buses
School buses
Private or charter buses
Party buses

High-Risk Intersections & Streets for Bus Collisions

The heavy traffic and unique road layouts in certain parts of Bellevue can make some areas more prone to bus accidents, especially those involving King County Metro buses.

Higher-risk locations for bus accidents in Bellevue can include:

Downtown Bellevue Intersections: Traffic congestion near major business hubs creates many opportunities for collisions, especially during peak commuting hours.
Roads Near Bellevue Transit Center: The Transit Center, a central hub for King County Metro buses, is surrounded by high pedestrian activity and frequent bus movements, increasing accident risks.
Areas With Sharp Turns or Limited Visibility: Streets with challenging layouts, such as those near Bellevue’s hills and residential areas, can be difficult to navigate for large vehicles like buses.

Whether your bus accident happened near the 405, close to the shores of Lake Washington, or the beautiful suburbs of Cougar Hills, Carpenter & Zuckerman will be ready to help and represent you.

$131 Million Dram Shop Liability

Our client was injured in a car accident caused by a driver who was over-served at a restaurant/bar.

$1.2 Million Spinal Injury
$6.5 Million Assault
$29.3 Million Brain Injury

Are there any caps on the compensation I can receive in a birth injury case?

There are not.
How long do HIE cases take to resolve fully?

The answer to this depends on a variety of factors. Typically, these cases can take anywhere from a couple of months to several years.
How can I ensure I get the best care following a catastrophic injury?

We can arrange for you to see a highly qualified specialist.
How long do I file to file my lawsuit?

The statute of limitations on personal injury cases is either three years or one year after discovering that malpractice led to your injury, whichever is later.
Can I sue for property damage?

Yes.
What damages can I recover in my case?

Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be eligible to recover compensation. There are two main types of damages that can be recovered: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are tangible, quantifiable losses that result from the accident. They are intended to compensate you for actual financial expenses and losses. Common economic damages in a truck accident case may include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
Non-economic damages are less tangible and are meant to compensate you for the pain, suffering, mental anguish, or loss of consortium resulting from the truck accident.
Is there a limit to the economic and non-economic damages I can collect?

In the past, there have been caps on non-economic damages; however, caps on damages have since been ruled unconstitutional by the Washington Supreme Court. The stipulation regarding caps on non-economic damages still exists in the Revised Code of Washington; however, it is no longer relevant.
How can liability be split in a rideshare accident claim?

Liability in a rideshare accident can be split in several ways, depending on the circumstances of the incident. The rideshare driver, the rideshare company, another motorist, or an automaker—or any combination of these parties—can be liable for the accident and the resulting damages.
How much does it cost to hire an assault lawyer?

We work on a contingency basis, meaning we charge a percentage of the overall compensation you are awarded. We will only charge you a fee if we successfully obtain compensation on your behalf.
Do I need to be physically attacked to file a civil action?

No. You can file a lawsuit if a person has made you reasonably fear for your safety.
What should I do if I suspect my baby has suffered a birth injury?

You should get in touch with a doctor and schedule an examination as soon as possible. Once you know your baby is getting the care they need, we can schedule a consultation.
How long do birth injury cases take to resolve?

The time it takes to resolve a case like this depends on numerous factors. These cases can generally go on for several months to several years. Settling out of court tends to lead to faster resolutions.
During your consultation, we will walk you through the steps you need to take to file a lawsuit.

Our lawyers always seek the maximum possible compensation for our clients. Determining a specific figure is difficult without the opinion of a medical professional or extensive analysis of medical records and case details.
Can a third party be responsible for my injuries in a car accident?

Yes, if they are responsible for causing the accident. For example, if a defective part leads to an accident, you may be able to seek compensation from the part's manufacturer.
How can I determine whether or not my child has HIE?

Seek the help of a qualified medical professional and have them perform an examination.
What damages can I recover in my case?

Depending on your case, you could be entitled to medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and more.
What is the statute of limitations on assault?

Cases of assault have varying statutes of limitations. The standard statute of limitations for assault is three years. In cases of sexual assault and rape, the statute of limitations is more complicated and varies from case to case. In some cases, there is no statute of limitations.
Does Washington have a one-bite rule?

No. You can seek damages against a dog owner regardless of the dog's history.
Should I speak with the other party's insurer?

No, we will take care of that. They will likely offer you a lower settlement than you deserve. Further, you run the risk of saying something that an insurer can use against you, leading to a diminished claim.
What is the statute of limitations on dog bite cases?

Three years.

Contact Carpenter & Zuckerman Today for Legal Counsel

If you’ve been injured in a bus accident in Bellevue, please remember that we are always here to help. We take pride in helping locals overcome legal challenges that once seemed overwhelming, especially in cases against powerful defendants like government entities in charge of public transportation. Our team is committed to securing the compensation you deserve while you concentrate on healing, so let us get started on your case as soon as possible.

Dial (425) 585-4009 to speak with a Bellevue bus accident attorney during a free consultation.

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